Freedom eyeing a third straight playoff trip

Shortstop Niko Gallego, a 2010 Arizona Diamondbacks draft pick, is one of the newcomers expected to make an impact for the Florence Freedom this season.
(Photo:
Community Recorder/James Weber
)

Building momentum and creating consistency is a difficult challenge in the Frontier League considering rosters turn over at a rate anywhere between 40-60 percent from year-to-year. However, Florence Freedom manager Fran Riordan is confident that his team has established a winning culture.

With the Frontier League’s reigning Most Valuable Player returning in third baseman Jacob Tanis and a strong pitching staff back in the mix for 2014, the Freedom are poised to reach the playoffs a third straight season, after compiling just two winning seasons in its first nine years as an organization prior to 2012.

“I think making the playoffs the last two years has established a culture of winning in Florence,” Riordan said. “The guys that were here last year know that, and the new guys talk to the old guys and buy in to the culture that we’ve tried to create here.

“Expectations are high in the organization from the players and the coaching staff, and I think we’ve got an excellent opportunity to make the playoffs three years in a row.”

Offensively, the lineup will revolve around Tanis. A former 13th-round pick by Oakland, the third baseman earned MVP honors while batting .264 with 17 home runs and a league-leading 72 RBI last season.

“When he made the decision to come back it was a great day for the organization and me,” Riordan said. “He’s such a great player, offensively and defensively. He’s such a good teammate and a good clubhouse presence. He brings so many things to the table that he’s a guy you can build around. He’s going to produce runs in the middle of the order, make great plays on defense and teach the young guys how to play the game the professional way on and off the field.”

In addition to Tanis, there are a handful of returning position players that could make an impact. Bobby Joe Tannehill proved his value as a utility infielder last summer after joining the team in early July following his college career. Nick Stein also joined the team midseason after his college season was over, and provided an immediate impact at the plate by hitting .291 with two home runs in 18 games. Cole Miles, a speedy center fielder entering his fourth season with the Freedom, has dealt with some injury issues but could be one of the most exciting players in the league if healthy, according to Riordan.

There are also some key new additions, including catcher Joe Staley and shortstop Niko Gallego, who have both played affiliated ball. Staley was drafted in the eighth round by the San Francisco Giants in 2010, and reached Single-A, while Gallego was drafted in the 27th round of the 2010 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks and reached Double-A.

“Joe has a lot of pop in his bat,” Riordan said about his starting catcher. “At the plate, he’s a switch-hitter, which brings a lot of versatility to the lineup, especially with a guy that’s going to be hitting in the middle of the order. Plus, he’s a good character guy and he knows how to handle a pitching staff, which is very important.

“Niko Gallego is one of the more talented shortstops I’ve seen in this league.”

Despite having the MVP and plenty of other talent on offense, Riordan says the strength of his team actually lies in its pitching staff, both the starting rotation and the bullpen.

It all starts in the bullpen with closer Jorge Marban. A Frontier League all-star selection in 2013, Marban is one of the best closers and overall pitchers in the league, according to his coach. He’ll be joined by another familiar face in Daniel DeSimone.

Marban posted a 2.05 ERA last year with 61 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched, while DeSimone earned an 8-4 record with a 2.92 ERA in 86.1 innings pitched.

The Freedom are also looking for big things out of newly acquired Dave Middendorf, a former Northern Kentucky University standout that was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 22nd round of the 2011 draft. Middendorf came to Florence via a trade on March 12, after going 12-7 with a 2.60 ERA in 19 starts for the Lake Erie Crushers last year.

The Freedom opened play on Thursday night and the regular season extends to Sept. 4. ⬛

FREEDOM GLANCE

Key Dates:

• May 30, Faith Night – Former Bengals kicker Doug Pelfrey will give his testimony following the game.